Overconsumption
of these non-regulated drinks poses risks for arrhythmias and other
cardiovascular events, as reported in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology

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Philadelphia, PA, April 1, 2015

The
rapid rise in popularity of energy drinks (EDs), particularly among adolescents
(aged 10-19 years) and young adults, has serious implications for cardiac
health. In an article published in the Canadian
Journal of Cardiology, researchers focus on the pharmacology of EDs, adverse
reactions to them, and how the marketing of these drinks as a means to relieve
fatigue and improve physical and cognitive performance may be ignoring real
dangers.

An international research team led by Fabian Sanchis-Gomar,
PhD, MD, of the Research Institute of Hospital 12 de Octubre (“i+12”), Madrid,
Spain, noted that EDs can trigger sudden cardiac deaths in young, apparently
healthy individuals. For persons with underlying heart diseases, the risk of
triggering sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) or other arrhythmias can be
significant. Even atrial fibrillation (AF), normally uncommon in children
without structural heart disease, has been observed in a 13-year-old adolescent
boy during a soccer training session after ingesting EDs.

It is
estimated that 31% of 12- to 19-year old adolescents regularly consume EDs. These
beverages often contain high amounts of labeled caffeine. However, they can
contain “masked” caffeine, in the form of guarana, for example, which comes
from a Brazilian plant and is identical to caffeine found in coffee beans, but
at twice the concentration. The addition of guarana and other substances such
as ginseng and taurine in variable quantities may generate uncertain interactions.

Although
caffeine is widely used and generally regarded as safe, serious adverse effects
have been reported, especially when consumed in larger doses. With a range of readily
available sources, such as EDs, gums, inhalers, and orodispersable sheets,
adolescents and young adults can easily overdose. It is estimated that as many
as 46% of the 5,448 caffeine overdoses reported in the United States in 2007 occurred
in adolescents younger than 19 years.

Excessive ED consumption together with alcohol or other drugs, or both, may lead to adverse effects, including death.

“As ED consumption continues to grow, physicians are advised
to ask adolescent patients whether they consume EDs, to be aware of the
symptoms of ED overconsumption, and to discuss the dangers of EDs alone and
mixed with alcohol,” explained Dr. Sanchis-Gomar. “It is important for
physicians to understand the lack of regulation in caffeine content and other ingredients
of these high-energy beverages and their complications so that parents and
children can be educated about the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and the
potential development of anxiety and phobias accompanying excessive ED
consumption.”

The authors also urge that concerns should be communicated
to parents and educators, who may be inadvertently guilty of promoting overconsumption
of caffeine.

Full text of this article is available to credentialed
journalists upon request. Contact Eileen
Leahy at +1 732 238 3628or cjcmedia@elsevier.com
to obtain copies. Journalists who wish to interview the authors should contact
Fabian Sanchis-Gomar at fabian.sanchis@uv.es.

About the Canadian Journal of CardiologyThe Canadian Journal of Cardiology (www.onlinecjc.ca)
is the official journal of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (www.ccs.ca).
It is a vehicle for the international dissemination of new knowledge in
cardiology and cardiovascular science, particularly serving as a major venue
for the results of Canadian cardiovascular research and Society guidelines. The
journal publishes original reports of clinical and basic research relevant to
cardiovascular medicine as well as editorials, review articles, case reports,
and papers on health outcomes, policy research, ethics, medical history, and
political issues affecting practice.

About the
Editor-in-ChiefEditor-in-Chief Stanley Nattel, MD, is Paul-David Chair in
Cardiovascular Electrophysiology and Professor of Medicine at the University of
Montreal and Director of the Electrophysiology Research Program at the Montreal
Heart Institute Research Center.

About The Canadian
Cardiovascular SocietyThe Canadian Cardiovascular Society is the professional
association for Canadian cardiovascular physicians and scientists working to
promote cardiovascular health and care through knowledge translation,
professional development, and leadership in health policy. The CCS provides
programs and services to its 1900+ members and others in the cardiovascular
community, including guidelines for cardiovascular care, the annual Canadian
Cardiovascular Congress, and, with the Canadian Cardiovascular Academy,
programs for trainees. More information about the CCS and its activities can be
found at www.ccs.ca.

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